The Washington Wizards get a different kind of spotlight Friday night when AJ Dybantsa makes his home debut against the Charlotte Hornets in NBA Cup Group Play.
Washington comes back home after a three-game road trip that ended with back-to-back losses. The Wizards dropped a 110-103 game in Charlotte before falling 121-111 in Cleveland to finish the swing.
Charlotte arrives off a 97-89 loss in Detroit on Wednesday, ending the Hornets’ two-game win streak. Even so, the Hornets have had Washington’s number lately, winning five straight meetings.
Dybantsa is the player to watch with the first home crowd of his NBA career waiting for him. The first overall pick scored 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting, including 1 of 3 from deep, while also adding two assists and two rebounds in Wednesday’s game in Cleveland. He missed the first four games of the season after a left ankle sprain in the preseason finale.
The Wizards are 2-3 overall, and one of those wins came in their home opener. There should be some of that same energy around Dybantsa on Friday night.
As for the matchup itself, the total looks more appealing than the side. Charlotte has gone UNDER in all five of its games this season, and Washington has hit the UNDER in three of five, including each of its last two. These teams combined for only 213 points earlier this week when the total was 226.5.
I’m expecting another lower-scoring matchup tonight.
In Other News...
Naz Reid Suddenly Faces Pressure In Charlotte After Costly Message
The Hornets have been trying to steady themselves around a young roster, but the latest wrinkle came from Charles Lees handling of Naz Reid after a rough first half. Reid never returned for the second half, a decision that underscored how quickly accountability can become part of the conversation when a team is still defining its identity and standards.
Lee made clear after the game that the issue was not just about performance, but about Reid not meeting the level the staff expects. The two addressed it afterward and said they are moving forward, though the episode leaves Charlotte with another reminder that even in a season of development, the details off the box score can carry real weight. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Face A Tough .500 Test With Their Backcourt Under Pressure
The Hornets are heading into another meeting with Washington carrying a thinner backcourt than they would like, and the timing is not ideal for a team trying to stay around .500. Charlotte already has to navigate life without Coby White and Grant Williams, while Dennis Schrder is still on the injury report as questionable, leaving the rotation in a spot where every available guard matters a little more than usual.
Washington, meanwhile, gets another look at Charlotte with its top draft pick AJ Dybantsa back in the mix after making his debut, adding another layer to a matchup that already feels like a test of depth and resilience. The rematch sets up as a tricky one for the Hornets, who need healthier bodies and cleaner guard play to keep pace, but the broader concern is whether they can hold up long enough to avoid letting this game slip away. [Read more 🡒]
Hornets Open NBA Cup With A Rotation Problem They Can't Ignore
After a rough loss, Charlotte steadied itself with a win over Miami and now turns the page to the NBA Cup with the kind of availability questions that can shape a night before it even tips off. The Hornets are already juggling a list of players marked out or questionable, including Kon Knueppel, Coby White and Grant Williams, which makes every injury report update feel a little more important than usual.
Dennis Schrder is also on the report with a right foot issue, and that could leave Charlotte dangerously thin at point guard if he cannot go. Washington has its own injury concerns, but the Wizards also arrive with a new wrinkle in rookie AJ Dybantsa, who made his NBA debut and scored 19 points against Cleveland on 8-of-12 shooting, giving this matchup a little extra intrigue even before the Hornets settle their rotation. [Read more 🡒]